JPWO2016143441A1 - Acoustic wave image generation apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are an acoustic wave image generation device in which a puncture needle is clear and a control method thereof. A first ultrasonic image is generated using ultrasonic echo signals obtained from the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers. An evaluation value indicating the degree of needle breakage is calculated for the image of the puncture needle (40) from the first ultrasonic image. When the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value, the second ultrasonic wave is obtained using ultrasonic echo signals obtained from the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers larger than the first plurality. An image is generated. When the evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the first ultrasonic image is displayed, and when the evaluation value is less than the threshold value, the second ultrasonic image is displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an acoustic wave image generation apparatus and a control method thereof.

  In anesthesia under ultrasound guidance using an ultrasonic device for the body surface and puncture aspiration cytology with an ultrasonic endoscope, the procedure is performed while the puncture needle is displayed on an ultrasound image. At this time, it is important for the procedure to be successful that the needle is clearly displayed in the ultrasonic image, but the needle may be difficult to see. For this reason, when the needle is displaced in the thickness direction of the probe and the needle becomes invisible, there is one that makes the needle visible by widening the opening of the probe in the thickness direction (Patent Document 1). In addition, if the ultrasound image is reflected by the needle and cannot be received and the image of the needle is interrupted, the specular reflection component of the needle can be reduced by setting the receiving aperture separately so that the reflected image can be received. There is also what receives (patent document 2).

JP 2008-237788 JP 2012-192162 A

  However, simply widening the reception aperture not only increases the number of ultrasonic echo signals for obtaining a needle image that is originally necessary, but also increases noise. In particular, in a convex type probe, simply widening the reception aperture is likely to be affected by noise entering from an oblique direction with respect to the ultrasonic transducer constituting the probe. If the reception aperture is too narrow, the influence of noise is reduced, but the ultrasonic echo signal for obtaining the needle image that is originally necessary is reduced, so that the needle image is interrupted and is difficult to see. In the ones described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the reception aperture is simply widened, it is easily affected by noise.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a needle image that is easy to see without being affected by noise.

  An acoustic wave image generation apparatus according to the present invention drives an acoustic wave probe and acoustic wave transducer in which a plurality of acoustic wave transducers are arranged in at least one direction to transmit an acoustic wave from the acoustic wave transducer to a subject. Based on the acoustic wave echo from the transmission drive means and the subject, the acoustic wave echo signal output from the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers less than the total number of the plurality of acoustic wave transducers is used. First acoustic wave image generating means for generating a first acoustic wave image, evaluation value calculating means for calculating an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the needles included in the first acoustic wave image, evaluation When the evaluation value calculated by the value calculating means is less than the threshold value, the acoustic wave echoes output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers are larger than the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers. Second acoustic wave image of the subject using the signal If the evaluation value calculated by the second acoustic wave image generation means for generating the evaluation value and the evaluation value calculation means is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the first acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen, and the evaluation value In the case where the evaluation value calculated by the calculation means is less than the threshold value, there is provided a first display control means for displaying a second acoustic wave image on the display screen.

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling an acoustic wave image generation apparatus. That is, in this method, the transmission drive means drives the acoustic wave transducer of the acoustic wave probe in which a plurality of acoustic wave transducers are arranged in at least one direction, and transmits the acoustic wave from the acoustic wave transducer to the subject. The first acoustic wave image generation means outputs the acoustic wave echoes output from the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers based on the acoustic wave echoes from the subject, which is smaller than the total number of the plurality of acoustic wave transducers. A first acoustic wave image of the subject is generated using the signal, and the evaluation value calculating means calculates an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the needle for the needle image included in the first acoustic wave image; When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value, the second acoustic wave image generation means has a second plurality of acoustic wave oscillators greater than the first plurality of acoustic wave vibrators. Using the acoustic echo signal output from the acoustic transducer, A second acoustic wave image of the body is generated, and the display control means displays the first acoustic wave image on the display screen when the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is greater than or equal to the threshold value. When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value, the second acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen.

  You may further provide the needle image extraction means which extracts the image of a needle | hook from a 1st acoustic wave image. In this case, for example, the evaluation value calculation means will calculate an evaluation value of the degree of needle breakage for the needle image extracted by the needle image extraction means.

  When a needle image is not extracted by the needle image extraction means, transmission of an acoustic wave based on driving by the transmission drive means, generation of a first acoustic wave image by the first acoustic wave image generation means, and needle image extraction means There may be further provided a first control means for repeating the extraction of the needle image by the transmission drive means, the first acoustic wave image generation means and the needle image extraction means.

  Furthermore, the first control means, for example, when the number of repetitions reaches the first number, or when a stop command is given (for example, when a user gives a pause command, a test end command, etc.) ), The transmission of the acoustic wave based on the drive by the transmission drive means, the generation of the acoustic wave image by the first acoustic wave image generation means, and the extraction of the needle image by the needle image extraction means are stopped.

  You may further provide the 2nd display control means to display a 1st acoustic wave image on a display screen. In this case, for example, when the first acoustic wave image is displayed by the second display control means and the evaluation value calculation command for starting the calculation of the evaluation value by the evaluation value calculation means is input, the evaluation value calculation means Will calculate the evaluation value of the discontinuity of the needle for the needle image included in the first acoustic wave image. For example, when the evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the first display control means displays the first acoustic wave image on the display screen, and the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is If it is less than the threshold value, the second acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen.

  When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value, a process of increasing the number of the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers by a predetermined number until the evaluation value becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value And a process of generating a second acoustic wave image of the subject using the acoustic wave echo signals output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers increased by a predetermined number, and the generated second You may further provide the 2nd control means which repeats the process which calculates the evaluation value of the discontinuity of a needle | hook using an acoustic wave image.

  For example, when the number of repetitions reaches the second number, the second control unit stops the process in the evaluation value calculation unit and the process in the second acoustic wave image generation control unit.

  For example, the first plurality of acoustic wave vibrators and the second plurality of acoustic wave vibrators overlap, and are present at the center of the first plurality of acoustic wave vibrators. And the acoustic wave vibrator existing at the center of the second plurality of acoustic wave vibrators are the same.

  The first plurality and the second plurality may both be odd numbers.

  According to the present invention, among the acoustic wave vibrators included in the acoustic wave probe, the first acoustic wave image generating means uses the acoustic wave echo signals output from the first plurality of acoustic wave vibrators. An acoustic wave image of the subject (first acoustic wave image) is generated. An evaluation value of the discontinuity of the needle is calculated for the needle image included in the generated acoustic wave image. When the evaluation value is less than the threshold value, the second acoustic wave signal is output using the acoustic wave echo signal output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers, which is greater than the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers. The acoustic wave image of the subject (second acoustic wave image) is generated by the acoustic wave image generating means. If the evaluation value is less than the threshold value, the acoustic wave image generated by the second acoustic wave image generation means is displayed. If the evaluation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the first acoustic wave image is displayed. The acoustic wave image generated by the acoustic wave image generating means is displayed. The acoustic wave image generated by the second acoustic wave image generation means uses an acoustic wave echo signal output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers, which is larger than the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers. Therefore, the needle image without interruption is displayed. If the evaluation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the acoustic value is generated using acoustic echo signals output from the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers that are smaller than the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers. Therefore, an acoustic wave image with less influence of noise is displayed. When the needle image is not interrupted, an acoustic wave image with less influence of noise can be displayed, and the needle image is displayed more clearly only when necessary, such as when the needle image is interrupted. be able to.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. The ultrasound echo from the puncture needle is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is an example of an ultrasonic image. It is an example of an ultrasonic image. It is an example of an ultrasonic image. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an ultrasonic diagnosing device.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (acoustic wave image generation apparatus).

  In this embodiment, an ultrasonic wave is used as an acoustic wave. However, the ultrasonic wave is not limited to an ultrasonic wave. If an appropriate frequency is selected according to the object to be examined and measurement conditions, an acoustic wave having an audible frequency is used. May be used.

  The entire operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is controlled by the control apparatus 2.

  Connected to the control device 2 are an operation device 3 operated by a doctor who operates the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 and a storage device 4 in which predetermined data and the like are stored.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 6 (acoustic wave probe). The ultrasonic probe 6 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (acoustic wave transducers).

  A control signal output from the control device 2 is given to the transmission device 5. Then, an electric pulse is given from the transmitter 5 to the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 6. The ultrasonic transducer is driven by the transmission device 5 (transmission drive means). The electric pulse is converted into an ultrasonic pulse (ultrasonic wave) by the ultrasonic vibrator, propagates through the body of the subject, and the ultrasonic echo returns to the ultrasonic probe 6.

  The ultrasonic echo is converted into an electric signal (ultrasonic echo signal) in the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic echo signal is given to the receiving device 7. The ultrasonic echo signal is amplified in the receiving device 7 and converted into digital ultrasonic echo data in the analog / digital conversion circuit 8. The ultrasonic echo data is given to the ultrasonic echo data storage device 9 and temporarily stored.

  The ultrasonic echo data is given to the phasing adder 11. In the phasing adder 11, phasing addition (a process of adding after the phases of the ultrasonic echo data generated by the difference in the position of the ultrasonic transducer included in the ultrasonic probe 6 and the like) is performed. By performing the phasing addition, the S / N is improved.

  The ultrasonic echo data subjected to the phasing addition in the phasing addition device 11 is input to a DSC (digital scan converter) 13. In the DSC 13, raster conversion is performed to image data in accordance with a normal television signal scanning method. The image data output from the DSC 13 is subjected to image processing such as gradation processing in the image creating device 14. An ultrasonic image (B-mode image) representing the luminance of the subject is generated from the superimposed signal. The image data output from the image creation device 14 is given to the display control device 16, and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17. The image data output from the image creation device 14 is also supplied to the image memory 15, and image data representing an ultrasonic image is stored in the image memory 15. The image data stored in the image memory 15 is given to the display control device 16, whereby an ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is used by a user such as a doctor to puncture a subject with a puncture needle and take a cell in the subject to make a diagnosis.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the puncture needle 40 is stabbed in the subject.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe 6 includes 120 ultrasonic transducers. However, the number of ultrasonic transducers may be more than 120. In FIG. 2, among the 120 ultrasonic vibrators, ultrasonic vibrators D1 to D61 that are used simultaneously for one transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves are shown, but are used simultaneously for one transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves. The number of ultrasonic transducers to be used may be less than 61 or more than 61. Further, the ultrasonic transducers D1 to D61 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged linearly in one direction, but may be arranged in one direction in an arc shape like a convex ultrasonic probe.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, the number of ultrasonic transducers driven around the scanning line (line to be scanned) is changed. If there is no such change, the scanning line is centered. In total, 61 ultrasonic transducers (30 on the left and right and one on the part corresponding to the scanning line) are driven. However, the scanning line at the end of the ultrasonic image is driven by fewer ultrasonic transducers than the 61 ultrasonic transducers. For example, the ultrasonic transducers D1 to D31 are driven for the scanning line No1, and the ultrasonic transducers D1 to D32 are driven for the scanning line No2. Hereinafter, as the number of scanning lines No. increases, the number of ultrasonic transducers to be driven increases, and the ultrasonic transducers D1 to D61 are driven for the scanning lines of the scanning line No31. The scanning line No. 32 is driven from D2 to D62, and the scanning line No. 120 at the end of the ultrasonic image is driven from D90 to D120.

  FIG. 2 shows ultrasonic transducers D1 to D61 among the 120 ultrasonic transducers driven in this way. The ultrasonic probe 6 also includes ultrasonic transducers D62 to D120, which are omitted in FIG. When there is no change in the number of ultrasonic transducers to be driven, the ultrasonic transducers D1 to D61 shown in FIG. 2 are driven by the scanning line No31.

  In the case of the scanning line No31, the ultrasonic transducer D1-D61 is driven by the transmission device 5 (transmission driving means) while the puncture needle 40 is inserted into the subject, and the ultrasonic transducer D1-D61 Ultrasound is transmitted. Then, the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the puncture needle 40 stabbed in the subject, and the ultrasonic echo 40A is input to the ultrasonic transducers D1-D61. An ultrasonic signal is output from the ultrasonic transducers D1-D61. These operations are also performed on each scanning line other than the scanning line No31. As described above, an ultrasonic image including the puncture needle 40 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17 using the ultrasonic signal obtained by driving the ultrasonic transducer in each scanning line.

  In this embodiment, first, among a plurality (120) of ultrasonic transducers arranged in the ultrasonic probe 6, 61 (maximum receiving numerical aperture) super-driven at a time by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Using the ultrasonic echo signals output from the first plurality (41) of ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51, which are smaller than the ultrasonic transducers, as described above, an ultrasonic image of the subject (first ultrasonic wave) Sound image) is generated. When an ultrasound image is generated using ultrasound echo signals obtained from the 61 ultrasound transducers with the maximum receiving numerical aperture, the ultrasound signal is received by the ultrasound transducer and the generated ultrasound The sound image is also affected by noise. For this reason, in order to eliminate the influence of noise as much as possible, the first ultrasonic image is not generated using the ultrasonic echo signals obtained from all the ultrasonic transducers having the maximum receiving numerical aperture of 61. A first ultrasonic image is generated using the first plurality (41) of ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51. Taking scan line No31 as an example, from FIG. 2, the maximum receiving numerical aperture of 61 indicates ultrasonic transducers D1 to D61, and the first plurality (41) of ultrasonic transducers are D11 to D51. Indicates. The number of the first plurality is not limited to 41 but may be smaller than the maximum number of reception numerical apertures of 61. In the first ultrasonic image obtained in this manner, the puncture needle 40 is evaluated for the discontinuity of the puncture needle 40. If it is determined that the image of the puncture needle 40 is difficult to see, The ultrasonic echo signals output from the second plurality (61 in this embodiment) of the ultrasonic transducers D1-D61 having a number larger than the plurality and not more than the maximum number of reception numerical apertures 61 are obtained. An ultrasonic image (second ultrasonic image) of the subject is generated by using this. Since the second ultrasonic image is generated using ultrasonic echo signals obtained from many ultrasonic transducers, the puncture needle 40 is easy to see.

  Preferably, the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers D11-D51 and the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers D1-D61 overlap. Further, the ultrasonic transducer existing at the center of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers D11-D51 and the ultrasonic transducer existing at the center of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers D1-D61 are the same. It may be. The sensitivity of the ultrasonic echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer is directional, and the sensitivity of the ultrasonic echo signal is higher for vertical incidence than for oblique incidence. Since the ultrasonic echoes 40A are obliquely incident on the ultrasonic transducers located closer to the end in the reception aperture, the ultrasonic echo signals output from the ultrasonic transducers are located in the center. Compared to the ultrasonic vibrator, the ratio of the noise component is increased. Therefore, it is preferable that the ultrasonic transducer located at the center of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic transducer located at the center of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers are coincident, Furthermore, it is preferable that the scanning line also coincides. Further, the first plurality and the second plurality defined as described above are not limited to odd numbers but may be even numbers. In this case, since there is no central ultrasonic transducer, the middle of the two ultrasonic transducers near the center may be defined as the center.

  The example shown in FIG. 2 is for the scanning line No31, but similarly for the scanning lines other than the scanning line No31, the driving of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers and the second plurality of scanning lines are performed for each scanning line. Needless to say, the driving of the ultrasonic transducer can be switched.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  As described above, the puncture needle 40 included in the first ultrasonic image is evaluated. In this embodiment, the image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the first ultrasonic image, and the extracted puncture needle is extracted. Evaluation of the degree of discontinuity of the puncture needle 40 is performed for 40 images. At this time, if the image of the puncture needle 40 cannot be extracted, the process is repeated until the first number of repetitions (first number) is reached. A first variable n (number of repetitions) for determining whether or not the first number of repetitions has been reached is set to 1 (step 21). Even if the first number of repetitions is not reached, the user gives a stop command such as a temporary stop command or an inspection end command using the operation device 3, so that an ultrasonic image is generated and a needle image is generated as described later. Extraction is stopped.

  Subsequently, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers D1-D120 of the ultrasonic probe 6 through the respective scanning lines, and ultrasonic echoes 40A from the puncture needle 40 are transmitted through the ultrasonic transducers D1-D120 through the respective scanning lines. Received (step 22). As described above, the ultrasonic transducer driven for each scanning line is different. In each scanning line, out of the maximum receiving numerical aperture 61, as described above, the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers (for example, the ultrasonic transducer D11-D51 in the case of scanning line No31) are output. An ultrasonic image (first ultrasonic image) of the subject is generated by the phasing adder 11, DSC 13, and image creating device 14 (first acoustic wave image generating means) using the ultrasonic echo signal. (Step 23).

  Subsequently, an image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the generated first ultrasonic image of the subject by the control device 2 (needle image extraction means) (step 24). Extraction of the image of the puncture needle 40 includes extraction of linear components by Hough transform, extraction using changes in the ultrasonic echo signal obtained from the ultrasonic echo 40A from the inserted puncture needle 40, ultrasonic waves There is extraction by direct designation of the image of the puncture needle 40 by a doctor operating the diagnostic apparatus 1. When the position of the puncture needle 40 is specified from the actual insertion angle of the puncture needle 40 using an angle sensor, a guide of the puncture needle 40, or a magnetic sensor is attached to the tip of the puncture needle 40 Alternatively, the position of the puncture needle 40 can be specified by detecting the magnetic sensor. However, since an evaluation value indicating the discontinuity of the needle need only be calculated as described later, the image of the puncture needle 40 does not necessarily have to be extracted.

  If the image of the puncture needle 40 is not extracted by the control device 2 (NO in step 25), it is confirmed by the control device 2 whether or not the first variable n has reached the first number of repetitions (step 26). If the first variable n is not the first number of repetitions (NO in step 26), the first variable is incremented by the control device 2 (step 27), and the processing from step 22 is repeated (transmission). Transmission of the acoustic wave based on the drive means, generation of the acoustic wave image by the first acoustic wave image generation means, extraction of the needle image by the image extraction means, transmission drive means, first acoustic wave image generation means, and needle image extraction Let the means repeat). If the image of the puncture needle 40 is not extracted from the first ultrasonic image even if the first variable n becomes the first number of repetitions (YES in step 26), the image extraction process of the puncture needle 40 is stopped. (Step 28) (When the number of repetitions reaches the first number, transmission of acoustic waves based on driving by the transmission driving means, generation of acoustic wave images by the first acoustic wave image generating means, and needle image extraction means The extraction of the needle image by).

When the image of puncture needle 40 is extracted from the first ultrasonic image (YES in step 25), an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of puncture needle 40 is calculated by control device 2 (evaluation value calculation means) (step 29). , It is determined whether the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value (step 30). As an example of the evaluation value of the discontinuity of the puncture needle 40, for example, a standard deviation in the direction along the puncture needle 40 in the extracted image of the puncture needle 40 (this standard deviation is an example of the evaluation value) is taken as a reference. If it is below the value (threshold value), it is determined that the evaluation value is less than the threshold value, and if it is above the reference value, it is determined that the evaluation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. As another example of the evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the puncture needle 40, an ultrasonic wave obtained from a first plurality of ultrasonic transducers (for example, ultrasonic transducer D11-D51 in the case of scanning line No31). If the average of the amplitude levels of ultrasonic echo data for each acoustic transducer (this average is an example of an evaluation value) is less than a predetermined threshold value, the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value. If the average is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the calculated evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold. Further, as yet another example of the evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the puncture needle 40, a correlation value between the ideal puncture needle image and the extracted image of the puncture needle 40 (this correlation value is another example of the evaluation value). If the calculated correlation value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value, and the correlation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. If there is, it is determined that the calculated evaluation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. For example, assuming that the ideal puncture needle image data is St (t), the extracted puncture needle image data is Si (t), and i is the number of pixels of the image, the correlation value Ri is Ri = [Σ {St (t) × Si (t)}] / [√Σ {St (t)} ² × √Σ {Si (t)} ² ]. In any case, if the controller 2 determines that the evaluation value is less than the threshold value (YES in step 30), the controller 2 determines that the puncture needle 40 is disconnected. It goes without saying that the data representing the threshold value is stored in the storage device 4, for example, and read out by the control device 2 when compared with the evaluation value.

  FIG. 5 is generated based on an ultrasonic echo signal output from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a reception numerical aperture of 1st (for example, ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51 if the scanning line is No31). This is a first ultrasonic image 50.

  The first ultrasonic image 50 includes an image 41 of the puncture needle 40. The image 41 of the puncture needle 40 is divided into three parts, a first needle image part 41A, a second needle image part 41B, and a third needle image part 41C, which are interrupted. When such an image 41 is extracted and the evaluation value is calculated as described above, the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value, and the controller 2 determines that the image of the puncture needle 40 is interrupted. The

  FIG. 6 is generated based on an ultrasonic echo signal output from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers whose reception numerical aperture is a first number (for example, ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51 if the scanning line is No31). This is a first ultrasonic image 51.

  In the image 42 of the puncture needle 40 included in the first ultrasonic image 51 shown in FIG. 6, the edge of the puncture needle 40 is not a straight line but a curved line. Even for such an image 42, if the evaluation value is calculated as described above, it is less than the threshold value. Thus, even if the image 42 of the puncture needle 40 does not represent the completely interrupted puncture needle 40, the evaluation value is less than the threshold value. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the evaluation value may not be less than the threshold value unless the image 41 of the puncture needle 40 is completely interrupted.

  FIG. 7 is generated based on an ultrasonic echo signal output from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers whose reception numerical aperture is a first number (for example, ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51 if the scanning line is No31). It is a first ultrasonic image 52.

  The image 43 of the puncture needle 40 included in the first ultrasonic image 52 shown in FIG. 7 is that the puncture needle 40 is not interrupted and the edge is not a curve but a straight line. As described above, when the evaluation value is calculated for the image 43 in which the puncture needle 40 is not interrupted, it becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  Referring to FIG. 4, if the evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (NO in step 30), the image of puncture needle 40 is considered to be uninterrupted as shown in FIG. Diagnosis is possible while observing the puncture needle 40. For this purpose, the generated first ultrasonic image (first ultrasonic image 52) is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17 by the control device 2 and the display control device 16 (by the first display control means). . The doctor makes a diagnosis by operating the puncture needle 40 while viewing the first ultrasonic image.

  If the evaluation value is less than the threshold value (YES in step 30), ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers among the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic probe 6 for each scanning line. (If scanning line No31 is transmitted from ultrasonic transducers D1-D61), ultrasonic echo 40A from puncture needle 40 is received by 61 ultrasonic transducers having the maximum reception numerical aperture. (Step 31) (If the scanning line is No31, it is received by the ultrasonic transducers D1-D61). Then, using the ultrasonic echo signals output from the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers, as described above, the phasing adder 11, DSC 13 and the image creating device 14 (second acoustic wave image generating means). A second ultrasound image is generated (step 32). The generated second ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the control device 2 and the display control device 16 (first display control means) display device 17 (step 33). The second ultrasonic image uses an ultrasonic echo signal output from the second ultrasonic transducers that is more than the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers used for generating the first ultrasonic image. Therefore, the image of the puncture needle 40 is uninterrupted like an image 43 shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 8 to 10 show other embodiments and are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  As described above, the first variable n is set to 1 (step 61), the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and the ultrasonic echo 40A is received (step 62). A first ultrasonic image is generated using the ultrasonic echo signal output from the ultrasonic transducer (for example, D11-D51 for scanning line No31) (step 63). In this embodiment, when the first ultrasonic image is generated, the generated first ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17 by the control device 2 and the display control device 16 (second display control means). (Step 64). The doctor looks at the image of the puncture needle 40 included in the first ultrasonic image displayed on the display screen, and uses the operation device 3 to see a slightly clearer image of the puncture needle 40. An evaluation value calculation command is input to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (YES in step 65). The evaluation value calculation command has a function of starting the calculation of the evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the needle by the evaluation value calculation means, and has a mode like an input signal, for example. Then, as described above, an image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the generated first ultrasonic image (step 66). If the image of the puncture needle 40 is not extracted (NO in step 67), the first variable n is incremented unless the first variable n is the first number of repetitions (NO in step 68). (Step 69) and Steps 62 to 66 are repeated. When the first variable n is the first number of repetitions (YES in step 68), the needle image extraction stops (step 70).

  As described above, when the image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the first ultrasonic image (YES in step 67), an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the puncture needle 40 is calculated (step 71), and the evaluation value is reduced. It is determined whether it is less than the threshold (step 72). If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value (NO in step 72), the generated first ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17 (step 84).

  If the evaluation value is less than the threshold value (YES in step 72), the control device 2 sets the second variable m to 1 (step 73). As described above, ultrasonic waves are transmitted for each scanning line, and ultrasonic echoes 40A from the puncture needle 40 are received at each scanning line (step 74). A second ultrasound image is generated using the ultrasound echo signals output from the second plurality of ultrasound transducers (for example, D11-D51 for scanning line No31) (step 75). An image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the generated second ultrasonic image (step 76).

  If an image of puncture needle 40 is extracted from the second ultrasonic image (YES in step 77), an evaluation value for the degree of discontinuity of the puncture needle is calculated (step 78). If the calculated evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (NO in step 79), the generated second ultrasonic image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 17 (step 85). If the calculated evaluation value is less than the threshold value (YES in step 79), or if the image of the puncture needle 40 is not extracted from the second ultrasonic image (NO in step 97), the second It is checked whether the variable m has reached the second number of repetitions (step 80).

  When the second variable m is the second number of repetitions (YES in step 80), it is considered that the image of the clear puncture needle 40 is not included in the second ultrasound image, and the first ultrasound image Is displayed on the display device 17 (step 83). In this case, error processing is performed and the first ultrasonic image does not have to be displayed. If the image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the second ultrasonic image, the evaluation value is Even if it is less than the threshold, the second ultrasonic image may be displayed. If the second variable m is not equal to the second number of repetitions (NO in step 80), the second variable m is incremented by the control device 2 (step 81), and the second plurality of numbers are determined in advance. Increase the number. For example, the predetermined number is two. The method of increasing the second plurality of numbers is preferably evenly increased at both ends of the reception aperture. In the case of scanning line No31, the number of ultrasonic transducers D10 and D52 adjacent to both ends of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers D11 to D51 is increased (step 82). A second ultrasonic image is generated using the ultrasonic echo signals output from the increased number of ultrasonic transducers (steps 74 to 76). Until the evaluation value of the image of the puncture needle 40 extracted from the second ultrasonic image is equal to or greater than the threshold value, or until the second variable m reaches the second number of repetitions, the processes of steps 82 and 74-76 are performed. Repeated. In this way, the second acoustic wave image is increased by the control device 2 (second control means) while increasing the number of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers until the evaluation value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. And the evaluation value calculation process are repeated. In addition, when the number of repetitions indicated by the second variable m reaches the second number of repetitions (second number), the process of generating the second acoustic wave image and the evaluation value calculation process are stopped. It is done. Note that the number of the second plurality is not limited to two, and may be four or six, for example, and an even number is preferable.

  In the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers is, for example, D11-D51 if the scanning line is No. 31, and the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers are, for example, The ultrasonic transducers D1-D61 which are the largest receiving apertures, but in the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, in order to increase the number of the second plurality, the second plurality of the plurality before the number is increased. The ultrasonic transducer cannot be an ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic transducer D1-D61 in the case of scanning line No31) which is the largest receiving aperture. For this reason, in the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, it is necessary to make the number of second ultrasonic transducers less than 61 ultrasonic transducers before increasing the number. Further, the number of the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers before increasing the number may be the same as the number of the first plurality of ultrasonic transducers.

  In the above-described embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, when the evaluation value calculation command is given, the image of the puncture needle 40 is extracted from the first ultrasonic image and the evaluation value is calculated. When the evaluation value calculation command is given, the doctor does not clearly see the image of the puncture needle 40 in the first ultrasonic image, and therefore the image of the puncture needle 40 from the first ultrasonic image. The second ultrasonic image may be generated by skipping the extraction and evaluation value calculation.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted again to generate the second ultrasonic image. However, when the first ultrasonic image is generated, the ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic transducer. If all the ultrasonic echo data obtained by digitally converting all the ultrasonic echo signals are stored in the ultrasonic echo data storage device 9, the second of the stored ultrasonic echo data is the second one. Using the ultrasonic echo data obtained by digitally converting the ultrasonic echo signals of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, a second ultrasonic image can be generated without transmitting the ultrasonic wave again.

2 control device (evaluation value calculation means, first display control means, needle image extraction means, first control means, second display control means, second control means)
5 Transmitter (Transmission drive means)
6 Ultrasonic probe (acoustic wave probe)
11 phasing and adding device (first acoustic wave image generating means, second acoustic wave image generating means)
16 Display control device (first display control means, second display control means)

Claims (10)

An acoustic wave probe in which a plurality of acoustic wave transducers are arranged in at least one direction;
Transmission driving means for driving the acoustic wave vibrator to transmit an acoustic wave from the acoustic wave vibrator to a subject;
Based on the acoustic wave echoes from the subject, the acoustic wave echo signals output from the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers, which are smaller than the total number of the plurality of acoustic wave transducers, are used. First acoustic wave image generation means for generating a first acoustic wave image;
Evaluation value calculating means for calculating an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the needle for the image of the needle included in the first acoustic wave image;
When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value, the output is output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers, which is larger than the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers. The evaluation value calculated by the second acoustic wave image generating means for generating the second acoustic wave image of the subject using the acoustic wave echo signal and the evaluation value calculating means is greater than or equal to a threshold value. If the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than a threshold value, the second acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen. First display control means for displaying on a display screen;
An acoustic wave image generation apparatus comprising: Needle image extraction means for extracting a needle image from the first acoustic wave image;
The evaluation value calculation means is
For the needle image extracted by the needle image extraction means, an evaluation value of the degree of needle breakage is calculated.
The acoustic wave image generation device according to claim 1. When the needle image is not extracted by the needle image extraction means,
A first control that repeats transmission of an acoustic wave based on driving by the transmission driving means, generation of the first acoustic wave image by the first acoustic wave image generation means, and extraction of a needle image by the needle image extraction means means,
The acoustic wave image generation device according to claim 2, further comprising: Furthermore, the first control means includes:
When the number of repetitions becomes the first number, or when a stop command is given, transmission of acoustic waves based on driving by the transmission driving unit, acoustic wave image by the first acoustic wave image generating unit Generation of the needle and extraction of the needle image by the needle image extraction means,
The acoustic wave image generation apparatus according to claim 3. A second display control means for displaying the first acoustic wave image on the display screen;
When the first acoustic wave image is displayed by the second display control means and an evaluation value calculation command for starting the calculation of the evaluation value by the evaluation value calculation means is input, the evaluation value calculation means Calculates an evaluation value of the discontinuity of the needle for the needle image included in the first acoustic wave image,
The first display control means includes:
When the evaluation value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the first acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen, and the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value. Displays the second acoustic wave image on the display screen.
The acoustic wave image generation device according to claim 1. When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is less than the threshold value, the number of the second plurality of acoustic wave vibrators is calculated until the evaluation value becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value. Processing for increasing a predetermined number and processing for generating a second acoustic wave image of the object using acoustic wave echo signals output from the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers increased by the predetermined number And a second control unit that repeats a process of calculating an evaluation value of the discontinuity of the needle using the generated second acoustic wave image,
The acoustic wave image generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The second control means includes:
When the number of repetitions is the second number, the processing in the evaluation value calculation means and the processing in the second acoustic wave image generation control means are stopped.
The acoustic wave image generation apparatus according to claim 6. The first plurality of acoustic wave transducers and the second plurality of acoustic wave transducers overlap and exist at the center of the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers. The acoustic wave vibrator and the acoustic wave vibrator present at the center of the second plurality of acoustic wave vibrators are the same;
The acoustic wave image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The first plurality and the second plurality are both odd numbers.
The acoustic wave image generation device according to claim 8. A transmission driving means for driving the acoustic wave transducer of the acoustic wave probe in which a plurality of acoustic wave transducers are arranged in at least one direction to transmit an acoustic wave from the acoustic wave transducer to a subject;
The first acoustic wave image generation means outputs the sound output from the first plurality of acoustic wave transducers, which is smaller than the total number of the plurality of acoustic wave transducers, based on the acoustic wave echo from the subject. Generating a first acoustic wave image of the subject using a wave echo signal;
The evaluation value calculation means calculates an evaluation value of the degree of discontinuity of the needle for the needle image included in the first acoustic wave image,
When the second acoustic wave image generation means has an evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means that is less than a threshold value, the second acoustic wave image generation means has more second than the first plurality of acoustic wave vibrators. Generating a second acoustic wave image of the subject using acoustic echo signals output from the plurality of acoustic wave transducers;
When the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the display control means displays the first acoustic wave image on the display screen and is calculated by the evaluation value calculation means. If the evaluated value is less than the threshold value, the second acoustic wave image is displayed on the display screen.
A control method of an acoustic wave image generation apparatus.

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